The defendants at the People’s Court of Hà Nội on Monday. — Photo baophapluat.vn

HÀ NỘI — A gang of cyber criminals who hacked into people’s personal accounts and earned more than $500,000 illegally have been sentenced.

The two-day trial came to a close at Hà Nội People’s on September 17 with the ringleaders sent to prison.

Nguyễn Văn Anh, born 1994, from Thanh Xuân, Hà Nội and Nguyễn Đức Hiếu, born 1996,  were each jailed for four years and six months.

Đỗ Khắc Tiến, born 1996, from Khoái Châu in Hưng Yên Province) was sentenced to three years in prison.

Ten other defendants received sentences ranging from 12 months in prison to suspended sentences.

According to the indictment, Tiến and Văn Anh were acquaintances. In February 2023, Tiến met Văn Anh to discuss using malicious software to illegally access electronic devices, steal Facebook account information, and run ads to generate unlawful profits. Tiến then sent Văn Anh a file containing malware.

Văn Anh forwarded the file to Hiếu, who had expertise in information technology, asking him to analyse and develop similar malware.

Hiếu created files containing malware (disguised as documents such as Word, Excel, or PDF files) and uploaded them to "LinkedIn.com" to illegally access other people’s devices, steal Facebook account information, and run ads to make illegal profits. In return, Văn Anh promised to pay Hiếu 30 per cent of the revenue from the ads.

Hiếu developed malware with features that allowed automatic access to victims' computers, collection of computer and account information stored in browsers, and Facebook account details. The programme encrypted the collected information and sent it to designated Telegram bots controlled by Hiếu. Only Hiếu, Văn An, and other members with admin access could view and download the data.

After Hiếu completed the malware, Văn Anh coordinated with others, forming seven groups to use and distribute the malware, gaining unauthorised access to electronic devices and stealing data.

Authorities determined that between April 2023 and November 2023, Văn Anh and his accomplices used the malware to access electronic devices, steal data, and illegally use Facebook accounts for advertising, earning over VNĐ14 billion (around US$580,000).

In this case, Văn Anh was the organiser, assigning tasks to his accomplices and personally profiting over VNĐ2.7 billion. Hiếu developed, modified, and upgraded the malware, embedded it into scripts for others to use, and profited over VNĐ3.7 billion. Tiến earned over VNĐ1.4 billion and personally received nearly VNĐ700 million. — VNS